Exactly.

Seeing how these guys adjust on the fly, how they deal with the pressure, what they're really fishing and how they're fishing it, is priceless if you're wanting to better your game. If you're more interested in pulling for your favorite pro to win, the other formats are it. Don't get me wrong, I like seeing the 5 fish format, like to see certain guys do well. But for me, I'd rather see some guy skipping docks and catching nothing feel the pressure of the scoretracker and know someone else is catching them, make a change, and see how he does.

My experience is the exact opposite. My wife has never had any interest in any fishing show but MLF. My son is an 18 year old high school fishermen�s that is one of the top at that level. He doesn�t watch BASS or FLW but does follow MLF and now BPT.

That doesn't seem right sir. I remember when he caught that fish and you posting pictures of him being grandpa's little limit extender shooting teal ducks. Man I'm getting old.

Funny you say that. My wife knows nothing and cares nothing about fishing but she likes watching MLF with me.

Where is this �tv exposure� ? Online, via choppy, crappie coverage doesn�t count. Does it?

All I see on tv is old MLF stuff. And it�s ok, because the common man doesn�t know the winner yet. I get it, I really do, I just don�t �get it� 100%. I don�t care for re-runs. If the BPT airs, it will be a waste of time to watch. We�d already know the outcome. It�s like watching a movie where you�ve been told everything that was exciting beforehand.

Same here. My Dad called me the other day all excited to tell me about this "new" fishing show he found flipping through the channels. I just let him tell me all about it, said it was really exciting seeing those guys at the cut line as time got short, how they reacted and the changes they made. He's a fly fisherman, but said he couldn't turn the channel until it was over, the suspense had him hooked.

People may be missing the point of all this, it's about selling product, not catering to the handful of hardcore tournament guys (which I'm one of). The more TV hours and viewership, the more sponsors will pay for ads in hopes of increasing sales. It's basic marketing, the BPT is getting exposure that BASS or FLW would never get with new viewers.

Very true. I agree the MLF format is the way of the future. However if the classic starts a slow demise, like I suspect it will, there will be a hole to fill. Not sure MLF can fill that void with their format. I went to their final day post game show at Conroe and it was basically a waste of time. You would think at some point MLF will want to lay claim to an event they can say is the "Super Bowl of Bass Fishing". You would think MLF could adapt their format just a touch to accommodate a one time a year mega event. The classic has always been an amazing event. Been to many and there is nothing like it. Just not sure you can make that event great without the drama of the mega stage of the weigh in. Especially the final day.

Good point, go back and watch the first bassmaster classic on youtube, it was as many as you could catch, and they et 'em...

I see 360� cameras and VR goggles coming into play sometime in the future. It will give viewers the feeling of sitting in the boat with the angler, watching and listening to them as if they were a referee, marshal or co-angler. I even see it going as far as being filmed, using that same technology, from the point of view of a fishing partner on the front deck, while the angler teaches "you" a new technique or shows "you" new baits. Like you are standing right next to them on the boat. It will be a huge step up from the GoPro clipped to the hat bill view you see today.

There will have to be innovative technologies and strategies used to reach tomorrow's anglers. Younger people, like myself, are so technology driven it is insane. I'm not talking about having your phone in your face all the time, I'm talking about seeing things in a new way and understanding what technology is capable of. That's why I think most of these younger pro's are so good with their electronics. For example, I grew up watching NASCAR with my dad. I think it's neat and it has its place, but I can't sit through an entire race. Formula1... I am glued to my seat, even after the race, and I think, for me, it is about learning what these cars are capable of by implementing some pretty crazy technology.

I am torn. I watched my childhood heroes pull into weigh-in and plug all their sponsors and show off their fish, and that's what I dreamed of doing when I grew up. On the other hand, that's not how kids 10-20 years old see things now and I get that. If there is any hope in reaching them and getting them hooked on fishing, it's going to take something different than a magazine subscription and the same old weigh-in style.

Great post. Your last paragraph is the whole punchline. The old timers here can�t and won�t embrace change and when they see it happening they are torn too and hold on as tight as they can to the past.

I don�t know man. They show up on my DVR and I watch them. I�m not sure when the current run of BPT stuff will show up, but I bet it will eventually.

But didn�t you just prove my point? Your kid is going to fish no matter what. To grow the sport you want to attract new people to the industry. How is BPT doing that? Also I�d be curious how many people are following BPT because of the anglers and not the format. Ducket has already been quoted saying this isn�t a fan based format. How do you expect to grow the sport with that attitude? I�ve fished for years, so I tend to know what brands I like and don�t like. How will someone just getting started get their information? You think they are going to sit down and watch it on tv and be like �oh okay sure why not� or do you think a pro at a weigh in booth talking to them face to face would be more beneficial? BPT isn�t fan friendly (at least not at this point). This seems very much like a bandwagon phase.

I�d also be curious to know how many are on the bandwagon simply because the big names made the move and not because they actually have a rea argument as to why BPT is better than BASS. I haven�t seen any real arguments other than what you have been told to believe.

Have you really watched MLF or BPT? My son is the exact demographic that BPT sponsorship dollars are looking for. He is very active in social media and has a short attention span. MLF style keeps him engaged. The coverage is designed to show more fish catches and be faster paced, You have already heard several folks express that their significant others will watch MLF but not other fishing shows. The only time we go to a weigh in is if its within 50 miles other than the classic. So far we have watched at least some of every BPT event. As far as the technical aspect I find the BASS commentary much more technical which I think is one advantage their live coverage has. I have enjoyed all three platforms this year but if you don't think BPT is the format that appeals the most to youth and non-fishing viewers then we will just have to disagree.

From his response I don't think he has, I've seen it myself people who don't even fish, it caught there interest and they ended up watching a good bit of it.